Israeli PM to Make Historic Visit to Cyprus
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make a trip to Cyprus later this month. The official purpose of the visit is to forge closer ties between the two countries, and more specifically to boost cooperation on security and offshore drilling for natural gas. Recently, Israel and Cyprus's defense ministers signed an intelligence-cooperation agreement. Full story
UN Secretary General Receives Hostile Reception in Gaza
Angry at his decision not to meet Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, protesters reportedly pelted UN chief Ban Ki-moon's car with shoes and chairs as he visited Gaza today. At a press conference in Gaza, Mr. Ban, who is visiting the region to try to kick-start stalled peace negotiations, called on Palestinians to stop launching rockets into Israel, and for Israelis to guarantee freedom, human rights and dignity for the Palestinian people. Full story
At the Service of the Holy Land in a Changing World
With a solemn liturgy presided by the minister general of the order of Friars Minor, Father José Rodriguez Carballo, the third International Conference of the Commissaries of the Holy Land opened in Jerusalem on January 30th. The Commissaries are in charge of supporting the Custody and promoting pilgrimages wherever there is a Franciscan province. Over 90 delegates from forty countries will be participating in the event. Full story
Israel-Holy See Talks: Substantive Progress Made But Why No More Details?
The bilateral permanent working commission between the State of Israel and the Holy See appears to have made significant progress, according to a statement released this afternoon. The plenary meeting, hosted by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, concerned the ongoing quest to reach an accord concerning part of the 1993 Fundamental Agreement dealing with economic and fiscal matters. Full story
